Folding crank for bicycles



Sept. 4, 1945.

E. w. scHwlNN FOLDINGCRANK FOR BI'CYCLES 2 '.Sheetsj-She'et l Filed Aug. 14, 1945 Sept 4, 1945 F. w. scHwlNN. 2,384,139

FOLDING CRANK FOR BIcYCLEs V Il! Patented Sept. 4, 1945 UNITED i STATES PATENT OFFICE a Vv2,384,1519 j v M I FOLDING cRANK Fon BIcYcLEs Frank w. Schwinn, chicago, nl. Y vrApplication August 14, 1943, Serial No. 498,684

Y d (ci. 74-594.1)

9 Claims.

*The present invention relates to folding cranks for bicycles, and is preferably'employed in bicycles of the type having other folding features covered by my co-pending applications, but the folding cranks of my invention may be used in all types of lbicycles, as the outwardly projecting parts of the ordinary cranks of the prior art are frequently. in theway whenever it is desired to transport any bicycle. Under such conditions any bicycle of the prior art may be improved by utilizing-.the present folding cranks. f

Y. One ofthe objects of the invention is the provision of an improved folding crank construction for bicycleswhich isv particularly desirable for special use, such as inI military operations. In lsuch operations, orwhenever it is desired to carry .ortransport a bicycle, it is advantageous to have the bicycle'so constructed thatit can be folded up in such manner as to require theV smallest possible amount of space.

The cranksof the prior art with whichI am familiar occupy a considerable amount of space, and prevent a bicycle from being laid `down upon a flat surface without having the frame and other parts lifted a considerable distance above the plane supporting surface, on account of the downwardly projecting parts of the crank,l and the upwardly projecting parts of the other crank, which are also a hindrance to its packing and transportation. Y Another object of the invention is the provision of :an improved folding crank construction, the mechanism of which is provided with spring means for moving the crank into the folded position, and with latching means for holding the crank in its'operative position'so that it is only necessary to release the latch to permit the cranks constructed according to my invention to move into 'their folded positions.

Another object of the invention is the provision 'of an improved folding crank which is pivotally mounted for movement relative to the crank shaft, and in which the mechanism is so constructed'that substantially all vstrain on the said pivotal support is removed and the crank is directly connected to the crank shaft by engaging shoulders on the crank and shaft on which the forces caused by torque may -be exerted without any chance of damage to the mechanism.

Y Another object of the invention is the provision ofv an'improved folding crank construction which issturdy,capableof economical manufacture so.

thatvit may be sold at a reasonable cost, which is adapted to b e firmly secured in its operative position, and 'which is adapted to be used for a long period of time without necessity for repair or replacement of its parts.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views. Referring to the drawings, of which there ar two sheets,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view'of ,the sprocket, crank, and crank shaft, illustrating a construction embodying the invention; v

VFig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 2-2 of Fig; l, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, takenl on the plane of the line 3--3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 4--4 of Fig.'3,looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 5 is a viewinperspective of the latching plunger which holds the crank in its operative position; l z f Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of another modified form of folding crank construction; Y

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary end elevationalview of the modification of Fig. 6, with the crank in its operative position;`

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 8--8 of Fig.v 6;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 9-9 of Fig. V6, looking inthe direction of the arrows; and showing the `latches for holdingthe crank in its operating position.

The folding cranks embodying the present inventon preferably have two. positions, and the operative position referred toY is that in which the cranks are ready to be used for` driving vthe Wheel of the bicycle. The folded position, as distinguished from the operative position, is the one in which the cranks have vbeen moved out of their usual operative position into aV position where theyv will occupy'less space because the pedals extend toward each other and are located inside theplane of the frame. i Y n Referring to Fig. 1, l0 indicates the crank shaft of a bcycle which isk provided withthe usual driving sprocket ll, and which is shown in connection with Vmyimproved folding crank I2.

The crank shaft l0 is usually provided.' with a `reduced cylindrical portion I3 for receiving the hub ofthe crank, and the reduced cylindrical portion I0 may be provided with a. key-way I9 is spun or riveted over at 2l to secure the gj sprocket II to the -cylindrical extension I8 of the hub block I6. Thus, in Fig."2,'the reduced: cylindrical portion I9 in its nished formhas agroove for receiving the sprocket I I that is xed- .v

ly secured to the block I6.

The block I6 may be provided at its upper end (Fig. 2) with a transverse groove 22 of substan-v tially rectangular shape in cross section, the groove being defined by the plane surfaces 23, 24 onlthe side flanges 25, 26 and by a lowerplane surface 21. The spaced side flanges' 25, 26 are provided with the aligned cylindrical bores 28,

29 for receiving the'pivot pin 39, upon which the crank I2 is'to be pivoted.

This pivotpin mayxbe provided with a relatively small and flat head 3|, and at its opposite end with a partially cylindrical groove 32 for receiving the spring wire 33 that acts as a thrust member to hold the piv'otrpin 30 against removal from its bores 28, 29.

Thecrank 'I2 comprises an elongated metal member, the shank 34 of which'may be oval in shape to increase the strength' of this' member against bendingstrains in the direction of the forces exerted when pedalingtakesplace. -At

` the rlower end' ofthe crank I2 it is provided with 40, limitingits position in the threaded bore 36;

and the shaft isv threaded home against the annular shoulder 40, to secure it xedly to the crank. i'

At its upper. end the crank I2 is provided with a pair of inwardly extending pivot flanges 36, 4I, which nt between the flanges l25, 26 onthe block, and, are provided Vwith cylindrical apertures 42 for'receiving the pivot member 30. The flanges' 40, 4I are provided with inner surfaces 43 that are cylindrically curved so that they will not interfere with theother parts of the block whenthe crank `pivots upward. fro'mthefull line position of Fig. Y2 to thefdotted line position.

VThe block-engaging portion .44o'f the' crank'IZ has its inner'side 45 provided'with asubstantially'plane surface for." engaging' the plane sur# face -46 that forms the base Yof axgroove 41 inI the outside of the block I6. f

The `groove 41 isfbounded by the plane surface 46, forming itsl base, landthestwdplane surfaces 48, 49 on the flanges 5 07,, 5I:. The length of 'the plane surface 45 on'the crank1l2 is substantially equal tothe length of the groove 41 inthe'block 'I6 soV that the, crank I21may beV provided with an inwardlyextending lug 52 adapted to servelas a keeper for the latchingplunger 53.

The lug 5,2,fis provided with 'a curved outer surface 4, serving'as aj'ca'mrningsurface for engagingthe beveled .ca rnming surface 55 .fon the latching plunger ,5311, Iltis 'also provided with .al

substantially cylindrical metal member, the cy- I lindrical surface of which is indicated by the numeral 59. At its upper end (Fig. 2) it is provided with a4 centrally located axialA bore 60 for seating' andureceiving one endof the helical coil spring 6I. At its lower end the plunger 53 is provided with the plane retaining surface 58 and VAwith the beveled surface 55 It preferably has a 'smallplane `end surface 62, since it is not desirable, from the point of view of wear, to make the y end of the plunger sharp. At the point where 'aligned bores in the flanges 11, 18.

the cylindrical surface 59 ends and the plane surface 58 begins, the plunger 53 is provided with a curved thrust surface 63 for engaging the locking lever 64. This surface 63 is curved to permit the locking lever 64 to exert itsthrust substantially centrally so that the plunger 53 will not bind in its guide." f l The plunger 53 is slidably mounted in a cylindrical bore 65, which'serves asa guide for the plunger; and the bore-65 is of sufficient length to permit the plunger-to be wholly retracted from the groove 56 in the inward lug 52 of the crank The bore- 65 preferably communicates with a smaller counterbore 66, which may communicate with the' transverse bore v61 in the block I6 for receiving the tapered pin I5. The transverse bore 61 communicates with the crank shaftV bore so that the pin I5 may engagethe crank I0. The compression spring 6I 4may thus 'engage the pin I 5, against which .it ward in Fig. 2;

It should, of course, be understood that the descriptive yterms upward and downward are used with referencev tothe position-'ofligA 2 on a depending crank; and these would be reversed Von the other crank,v which extends upward.

The Vtapered key pin I5 may be provided with a threadedshank 68, havingY a spring washer 69 and nut 10, so that the key I5 may be drawn into the bore E1. The taper on the pin I5 may be in the form of a flat surface 1I on its upper side in Fig. 3, and the groove I4 in the shaft end I3 may be of complementary shape, with 'a flat surface I4, one exception being that the groove is of ample width. v

Thus the block. I6 may be tightly locked yor secured on the shaft I0.

' Providing the plunger 53 with a fiat end portion- 58 and curved shoulderv 63 also provides space for the pivoted actuating lever 64, which is pivotally mounted onthe lower end of the block I6 by means of a pin 12.

. This actuating lever 64 extends substantially parallel to the plane Yof the sprocket II, and at the lower end of theblock I6 it is providedwith a transverse groove 13, which may be deeper at 14 on `the rightv (Fig. j3)V than rit is at 15 on the left side of the Vplunger 53. 'Y

The reason for this'is to give' the actuating lever 64 room for a maximum upward move'- ment at its handle end 16.V The lever 64 is pivoted on thepin 12, whichfis Acarried by thetwo flangesfl, 18, which define the groove 13, and the pin 12 may have a tight frictional t in its At its left end the actuating lever 64 has an upwardly extending lug11a provided with a plane surface reacts the plunger 53 down- 18a for engaging the side of the plunger |6 when the crank is in its operative `position of Fig. 2. 'Ihe surface 18 and Vthe side of the block serve as stop surfaces for limiting the clockwise pivotal movement of the actuating lever 64 in Fig. 3, and for preventing the plunger from being forced out of its guide 65 when the plunger-is Vnot en.- gaging the crank.

The pivot pin'30 at the upper end of the crank is preferably provided. with a coil spring 19, which may have a number of its turns wound about the pivot pin 30. This coil spring is provided with a holding end 80', comprising an outwardly projecting portion, which extends over to the outside of the block I6, where it may hook over the outside plane surface 46 that forms the base of the groove 41.

The other end of the spring 19 has an elongated portion 8I, which extends over toward the front of the block I6 and downwardly, parallel to the portion 8D. In order to provide space for the spring portions 89, 8|, the inside of the crank at this point, vthat is, the plane surface 45, is

provided with a relatively shallow recess 82.-

This recess may be of substantially rectangular shape in elevation, providing ample space for both ends of the spring.Y The spring is so tensioned that the end portion 80 reacts in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 2) against the block I6, while the longer portion 8| acts in a clockwise direction against the crank |2,'urging the crank upward to the dotted line position in Fig. 2-

'I'his dotted line position, however, does not represent any position in which the crank stays, but merely one of the positions which it assumes in its folding movement. 'I'he spring has` a range of movement, and is of vsufficient strength t move the crank upward to a substantially vertical position when the crank is in its folded position. The clockwise pivotal movement of the crank I2 is stopped when the upper plane surface 83 on the crank moves over into engagement with the top of the tubular extension I8 on the block. Thus, surface 83 and tubular extension I8 act as a stop for limiting the pivotal movement of the crank under the influence of spring 19.

The operation of the folding crank is as follows: When the crank is in its folded position, it is held in such position by the spring 19, which urges the crank upward into a position extending substantially parallel to the sprocket I I, with the surface 83 engaging the tubular extension I8.

In this position, the pedals, which ordinarily would project outward on each side of the bicycle, now extend inward toward each other and occupy no greater space than the length of the crank shaft itself. The crank shaft may be rocated until one crank extends forwardly andthe other rearwardly, or there may be a number of different positions into which the cranks may be placed for the most convenient folding, so .that the folding of the cranks will not interfere with the frame or action of other folding mechanism which is used with this folding crank.

When it is desired to use the bicycle, it is only necessary for the operator to grasp each pedal and pivot the crank on its pivot pin against the force 0f the spring 19 until the camming end 54 of the crank extension 52 strikes the beveled end 55 of the plunger 53', urging the plunger upward; and then, as it passes the plunger, the plunger moves down into the groove 59 to Yhold the crank in the position of Fig. 2.

When the crank I2 is in its operative position, its fiat side surfaces 84, 85 engage the walls 48,

49 of the groove 41 in the block I6 and enable the crank to rotate the block without placing any strain on the pivotal support for the crank. Furthermore, the crank has its upper flan-ges 49, 4| provided with flat lower surfaces 86, which engagethe base 21 of the upper groove 22 in the block; and any downward force that is exerted upon the pedal with the crank depending, as shown in Fig. 1, is taken by the flanges 4l), 4|. Also, the inward extension 52, which serves as a keeper for engaging the latching plunger 53, has an upper `plane surface 81 (Fig. 2) engaging the bottom of the block for receiving downward thrusts exerted by the crank on the block When the crank extends upward, relieving strains on the pivot pin 30.

When it is desired to fold the cranks, the operator may lift upward on the handle end 1B of the actuating lever 64, in Fig. 3, causing the plunger^53 to move upwardV and causing its ilat retaining surface 58 to be withdrawn from engagement with the walls of the groove' in the crank extension 52. In other words, a lifting movement on the handle end of the lever 84 unlatches the plunger 53 from the crank I2.

The spring 19 immediately acts to move the crank from the downwardly vertical position of Fig. 2 to the upwardly vertical position in regard to the shaft. The other crank is folded in the opposite direction, in the same way.

Referring to Figs. 6 to 9, this is a `modifled form of construction, which is provided with? crank 99 and a block 9|. The block 9| maybe secured upon its crank shaft in exactly the same manner previously described with respect to block I 6, and crank may be secured in the same way to block 9|. The block 9| may be of similar con# struction to that previously described, so that the crank 90 is pivoted on the pin 39. f

At its lower end the block 9| is yprovided on each of its sides with aninwardly extending slot 92, which is preferably rectangular in cross section. Each slot 92 is inserted by an upwardly extending bore 93 for receiving a pivot pin 94. The pivot pins 94 may be retained in their 'space in the bores 93 by a spring wire 95, which extends across the bottom of the block 9| and is upwardly curved at 96 adjacent each end.

The diagonally extending portions 91 of this wire extend into the bores 93, and the extreme ends of the wire 95 extend into the apertures "98. The wire 95 is suiciently resilient so that it may be bowed to be removed from the position of Fig. 8; but when it is in the position of Fig. 8,

' the Wire 95 engages the pins 94 to hold them in place.4

Each of thepins 94 supports a latching member 99, and the'latching members may be identical in shape, but are oppositely disposed. The latching members 99 each have bores |00 for receiving the pins 94, and the latching members 99 are fiat metal members projecting from the grooves 92 sufficiently so that they can be grasped with the fingers.

Thus, the portion IIJI of each latching member serves as a handle to be grasped between the thumb and the forenger. At its outer end, that is, the left, in Figs. 6 and 9, each latching member 99 is provided with a hook portion |02, havf ing a plane shoulder` |03 serving to engage an`` other plane shoulder |84 on the crank SI1. v

In order to provide space for these hook portions ||l2, crank 90 is provided with a recess |018. The latching members 99 may also be inwardly curved at |09 on their outer. edges, and surface |09 may be knurled so that the thumb engages this surface to retract the latching members from engagement with the crank 90. The latching members 90 are urged into latching position by a spring |05, having a partially circular portion |06 that extends about vthe tubular extension I8 of the block 9|. The spring |05 is curved outwardly at |02' and downwardly at ||0, the downwardly extending portion I| being located in a groove in each lat'ching member 99. At its extreme lowery end the spring has its ends outwardly turned at l2 so as to aid in retaining the spring in'place.

The spring |05 urges the right ends of the latch ing members in Fig. 9 apart, thus urging the hook portions |02 toward each other or into latching position.

The operation of this embodiment of the invention is similar to that previously described except that a different form of latch is employed. When the crank 90 is moved downward to the operative position of Fig. 6, the at surface 85 on the crank engages the beveled surfaces I3 on each latch 99 and forces the latches apart until the crank reaches the position of Fig. 9, when the latches snap into latching position.

This modified construction has all of the advantages of that previously described, and strains are taken directly by the block and crank with: out'placing undue strain upon the pivot pin or latch.

It will thus be observed that I have invented an improved folding crank which is simple in its construction and, therefore, capable of economical manufacture and sale at'a low price so that it may be supplied to a vast number of users. Y,

The present crankl construction is adapted to be moved into operative position, where itis ysecured automatically, or it is adapted to be quickly Yreleased and movedinto folded position, in which case the folding movement takes places automatically upon release of the latch.

While I have illustrated a preferred enr-bodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to 'be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what VI claim as new yand desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a folding crank forY bicycles, the combination of a supporting block adapted to besecured to a crank shaft of a bicycle, said supporting block having a pair of laterally projecting pivot anges provided with a bore and having an axially Vextending groove on its outer face, with a crank arm, said crank arm being pivotally mounted upon a pin in said bore, and having its adjacent end portion formed to fit in said groove in said face, whereby the torque exerted upon said iblock by said crank arm is transmitted through the sides of said crank arm to the walls of said groove on said block, and latching means carried by said block for holding said crank varm in said groove, said latching means comprising a pair of latchingmembers, one located on each side of said block, for engaging said crank arm, and common spring means for engaging both of said latching members to urge them into latching position.

2. In a folding crank for bicycles, the combination of a supporting block adapted to'be se cured to a crank shaft of a bicycle, said supporting block having a pair Vof laterallyprojecting pivot flanges provided `with a bore and having an vaxiallyi Vextending groove on .its outer-i face, with a crank arm, said crank arm being pivotally mounted upon -a pin in said Ibo-re, and having its adjacent end portion formed to fit in said groove in said face, whereby the torque'exertedzupon said'iblock bysaid crank arm is 'transmitted through the sides of said crank arm to the walls of said groove on. said block, and latching' means carried by said block' for holding said crank arm in said groove, said latching means comprising a pair of latching members, one located on each side of said block, for engaging saidlcrank arm, and common spring means for engaging-.both of said latching members to urge themv into latching position, each of said latching members being provided with a loeveled camming surface adapted to engage the crank arm to force'the latches aside when the crank arm is moved into latched position.

V3. In a folding crank for bicycles, the combination of a supporting block adapted to be se.- cured to a crank shaft of a bicycle, said supporting .block having a pair of rlaterally projecting pivot flanges provided with a bore and having an axially extending groove on its outer `face, with a crank arm, said crank arm being pivotally mounted upon a pin in said bore, and'having its adjacent end portionV formed to fit in said groove in said face, whereby the torque exerted upon said block by said cr-ank arm is transmitted through the sides of said crank arm/to the walls of said groove on said block, and latching means carried by said block for holding said crank arm in`v said groove, said latching means'comprising a spring pressed plunger sldably mountedI in' a bore in the side of said block opposite to said pivot pin for engaging a shoulder carriedA by an axially projecting part onl said crank arm.

4. In a folding crank for bicycles, the combination of a supporting block adapted to be secured to a crank shaft of a bicycle, said supporting block having a pair of laterally projecting pivot flanges provided with a bore and having anr axially extending groove on its outer face, with a crank arm, said crank arm being pivotally mounted upon a pin in said bore, and having its adjacent end portion formed to fit in said'groove in said face, whereby the torque exerted upon said blockY by said crank arm is transmitted through the sides of said crank arm to the walls 0f said groove on said block, and latching means carried by said blo-ck for holding said crank arm in said groove, said latching means comprising a spring pressed plunger slidably mounted in'a bore in the side of said block opposite to'said pivot pin for engaging a shoulder carried ilay-an axially projecting part on said crank arm, and an actuating lever pivotally 'mounted' on said block and engaging said plunger to keep the plunger from emerging from its bore when the crank arm is unlatched and to permit the un- Iatchingof said plunger. f 'v 5. In a folding crank for bicycles, the combination of a supporting block adaptedto be secured to a crank shaft of a xbicycle, said supporting block having a pair of laterally projecting pivot flanges provided with a bore and having an axially extending groove on its outer face, with a crank *arms said crank arm being pivotally mounted upon a pin in said bore, and having its adjacent end po-rtion formed to t in said groove in said face, whereby the torque exerted upon said block by said crank arm is transmitted through the sides of said crank arm to the Walls of said groove on said block, and latching means carried by said block for holding said crank arm in said groove, said latching means comprising a spring pressed plunger slidably mounted in a bore in the side of said block opposite to said pivot pin for engaging a shoulder carried by an axially projecting part on said crank arm, and an actuating lever pivotally mounted on said lblock and engaging said plunger to keep the plunger from emerging from its bore when the crank arm is unlatched and to permit the unlatching of said plunger, said plunger having a beveled camrning surface on one o its sides for engagement with said axially projecting part of said crank arm to force the plunger backward when the crank arm is moved into latching position.

6. In a foldingcrank structure for bicycles, the combination of a metal block provided with a transverse bore adapted to receive the crank shaft of a bicycle, said block being provided at one end with a pair of integral parallel flanges, said flanges having aligned bores extending transversely to said first-mentioned bore, and said block being provided on its face with a pair of relatively thick integral anges separated by a groove of rectangular cross section, with a pedal crank, said pedal crank being provided at its end with a pair of transversely extending pivot flanges adapted to be received between the firstmentioned flanges on said block, said pivot flanges also having bores aligned with the bores in the first-mentioned flanges, a transverse pin in said latter bores for pivoting said pedal crank on said block, said crank having an integral body portion of substantially rectangular cross section adapted to be received in the groove on the` face of said block when said pivot flanges engage the base of the groove between said first-mentioned flanges, and latching means carried by a lower part of said block for holding said pedal crank in said grooves and in tight engagement with the bases of both of said grooves.

7. In a folding crank structure for bicycles, the combination of a metal block provided with a transverse bore adapted to receive the crank shaft of a bicycle, said block being provided at one end with a pair of integral parallel flanges.

said flanges having aligned bores extending transversely to said first-mentioned bore, and said block being provided on its face with a pair of relatively thick integral flanges separated by a groove of rectangular cross section, with a pedal crank, said pedal crank being provided at its end with a pair of transversely extending pivot flanges adapted to be received between the first-mentioned flanges on said block said pivot flanges also having bores aligned with the bores in the first-mentioned flanges, a transverse pin in said latter bores for pivoting said pedal crank on said block, said crank having an integral body portion of substantially rectangular cross section adapted to be received in the groove on the face of said block when said pivot flanges engage the base of the groove between said first-mentioned flanges, and latching means carried by a lower part of said block for holding said pedal crank in said grooves and in tight engagement with the bases of both of said grooves, said pin having a helical spring surrounding it and located between the pivot anges of said pedal crank, said spring having outwardly projecting arms, one arm engaging said block, and the other arm engaging said pedal crank to urge the pedal crank out of the groove in the face of said block.

8. In a folding crank structure for bicycles, the combination of a metal block provided with a `transverse bore adapted to receive the crank shaft of a bicycle, said block being provided at one end with a pair of integral parallel flanges, separated by a rectangular groove,said flanges having aligned bores extending transversely to said first-mentioned bore, and said block being provided on its face with a pair of integral flanges separated by a groove of rectangular cross section, with a pedal crank, said pedal crank being provided at its end with a pair of transversely extending pivot flanges adapted to be received between said parallel flanges on said block, said pivot flanges also having bores align'ed with the bores in the parallel flanges, a transverse pin in said latter bores for pivoting said pedal crank on said block, said crank having an integral body portion of substantially rectangular cross section adapted to be received in the groove on the face of said block when said pivot flanges engage the base of the groove between said parallel flanges, and latching means carried by said block for holding said pedal crank in said grooves and in tight engagement with the bases of both of said grooves.

9. In a folding crank structure for bicycles, the combination of a metal block provided with a transverse bore adapted to receive the crank shaft of a bicycle, said block being provided at one end with a pair of integral parallel flanges separated by a. rectangular groove, said flanges having aligned bores extending transversely to said first-mentioned bore, and said block being provided on its face with a pair of integral flanges separated by a groove of rectangular cross section, with a pedal crank, said pedal crank being provided at its end with a pair of transversely extending pivot flanges adapted to be received between said parallel flanges on said block, said pivot flanges also having bores aligned with the bores in the parallel flanges, a transverse pin in said latter bores for pivoting said pedal crank on said block, said crank having an integral body portion of substantially rectangular cross section adapted to be received in the groove on the face of said block when said pivot flanges engage the base of the groove between said parallel flanges, and latching means carried by said block for holding said pedal crank in said grooves and in tight engagement with the bases of both of said grooves, and resilient means for urging the crank from the latched position, whereby upon unlatching the crank is adapted to move into a position in which the pedal extends inwardly of the bicycle frame.

FRANK W. SCHWINN. 

